UPSC Mains Answer Writing – Chapter 1: The Mains Written Examination – Scheme and What Examiners Reward (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Mains Answer Writing – Chapter 1: The Mains Written Examination – Scheme and What Examiners Reward (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Mains Answer Writing. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

How many papers are there in the written Mains?

Correct Answer: B [Nine]

Explanation:

two qualifying and seven for merit.

2.  

Papers A and B each carry:

Correct Answer: B [300 marks]

Explanation:

Each qualifying language paper – Paper A (Indian language) and Paper B (English) – carries 300 marks under the 2026 notice.

3.  

The minimum needed in each qualifying language paper is:

Correct Answer: C [25 per cent]

Explanation:

The notice requires at least 25 per cent in each of Paper A and Paper B before the other papers are taken into account.

4.  

The written marks counted for merit total:

Correct Answer: D [1,750]

Explanation:

seven papers of 250.

5.  

A GS paper with ten 150-word answers and ten 250-word answers asks for about how many words in all?

Correct Answer: D [4,000]

Explanation:

Ten 150-word answers (1,500) and ten 250-word answers (2,500) make about 4,000 words.

6.  

The Personality Test carries:

Correct Answer: B [275 marks]

Explanation:

The Interview/Personality Test carries 275 marks, with no minimum qualifying marks, taking the grand total to 2,025.

7.  

According to the notice, marks will not be given for:

Correct Answer: C [mere superficial knowledge]

Explanation:

The notice's general instructions state that marks will not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.

8.  

The notice gives credit for orderly, effective and exact expression combined with:

Correct Answer: D [due economy of words]

Explanation:

The notice credits 'orderly, effective and exact expression combined with due economy of words'.

9.  

If handwriting is not easily legible, the notice provides for:

Correct Answer: A [a deduction of marks]

Explanation:

The notice says that if handwriting is not easily legible, a deduction will be made from the marks otherwise accruing.

10.  

Consider the following statements about the written Mains under the 2026 notice:

1. Papers I–VII may be answered in English or in any one Eighth Schedule language.
2. Marks of Papers A and B are added for ranking.
3. Identity marks in a script can lead to non-evaluation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 3 match the notice; statement 2 is false because Paper A and B marks are not counted for ranking.

11.  

Assertion (A): A candidate from Nagaland need not take Paper A (Indian language) in the Civil Services Mains.

Reason (R): Paper A is not compulsory for candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

The CSE Rules exempt candidates from these six north-eastern States from Paper A, which explains A.

12.  

In recent GS papers, a 15-mark question usually carries a word limit of:

Correct Answer: C [250 words]

Explanation:

Since 2017, GS Papers I–III have set ten 15-mark questions, each with a 250-word limit.

13.  

GS Paper IV has case studies in:

Correct Answer: C [Section B]

Explanation:

GS Paper IV has theory questions in Section A and case studies in Section B.

14.  

The four GS papers together carry:

Correct Answer: D [1,000 marks]

Explanation:

4 × 250.

15.  

The Northcote–Trevelyan Report recommended:

Correct Answer: B [entry by competitive examination]

Explanation:

The 1854 report recommended recruitment to the British civil service by open competitive examination instead of patronage.

16.  

The Pendleton Act of 1883 concerned:

Correct Answer: A [the United States]

Explanation:

The Pendleton Act of 1883 required many United States federal posts to be filled on merit through competitive examinations.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Pendleton Act
2. Imperial examination in China made systematic under the Sui
3. Imperial examination abolished
4. Northcote–Trevelyan Report

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

Sui dynasty (581–618), 1854, 1883, 1905.

18.  

Papers A (Indian language) and B (English) of the Civil Services Mains are set at the standard of:

Correct Answer: D [Matriculation or equivalent]

Explanation:

The notice sets Papers A and B at Matriculation or equivalent standard, and they are qualifying only.

19.  

At about 0.7 minutes a mark, a 10-mark answer should take about:

Correct Answer: B [7 minutes]

Explanation:

At 0.7 minutes a mark, 10 marks need about 7 minutes, which fits twenty answers into 180 minutes.

20.  

A candidate writing in an Indian language may add English versions within brackets for:

Correct Answer: A [technical terms only]

Explanation:

The notice lets such candidates give, within brackets, the English version of only the description of technical terms.

➤ Directive words, answer templates, model answers with marginal notes, evaluation rubrics and paper-wise Mains practice – U28 · Mains Answer Writing (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-mains-answer-writing

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